US Markets Mixed, Stimulus Chatter Remains a Driver

Taking their cue from an unimpressive European performance, US equities languished into the close Thursday, with the S&P 500 opening a small gap with all time highs printed earlier in the week.

Energy firms surged, topping the table comfortably as the oil price rallied to fresh multi-month highs. This failed to prop up the index however, with considerable weakness in industrials, materials and utilities countering. Notable individual stocks included Twitter (+5%) and Starbucks, who hit a fresh alltime high. General Motors and Ford were among the largest fallers Thursday, shedding as much as 3% apiece. Airbnb's IPO saw the firm valued at over $100bln in its stock debut.

Stimulus talks on Capitol Hill remain a driver, with Mnuchin and Pelosi both sounding optimistic on the prospects of a deal, but ultimately failing to reach any breakthrough.